U.S. patent number 5,815,833 [Application Number United States Pate] was granted by the patent office on 1998-10-06 for convertible article for simultaneously providing sleeping bag, jacket and carrying bag.
Invention is credited to Li-Lin Kuo.
United States Patent |
5,815,833 |
Kuo |
October 6, 1998 |
Convertible article for simultaneously providing sleeping bag,
jacket and carrying bag
Abstract
A convertible article includes: a torso bag having a hood
detachably securable with the torso bag, with an inflatable pillow
attached to the hood and inflated for cushioning a wearer's head; a
leg bag detachably securable with the torso bag for forming a
sleeping bag to be worn by the wearer for sleeping purpose; and a
built-in carrying bag inherently formed in the leg bag, whereby
upon inversion of the built-in carrying bag outwardly from the leg
bag and folding and insertion of the remaining portion of the leg
bag into the carrying bag, the carrying bag can be conveniently
carried for storing the torso bag, the hood and other items into
the carrying bag.
Inventors: |
Kuo; Li-Lin (Taipei,
TW) |
Family
ID: |
21770149 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69.5; 2/84;
5/413AM; 2/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
15/04 (20130101); A47G 9/086 (20130101); A45F
4/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45F
4/00 (20060101); A45F 4/02 (20060101); A41D
15/00 (20060101); A41D 15/04 (20060101); A47G
9/00 (20060101); A47G 9/08 (20060101); A41D
015/04 (); A45F 004/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/69.5,69,83,84,85,86,89,93,94,108 ;5/413R,413AM
;224/156,153,576 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Vanatta; Amy
Claims
I claim:
1. A convertible article comprising: a torso bag (1) having a hood
(2) detachably securable with the torso bag (1) and operatively
inflated for cushioning a wearer's head; a leg bag (3) detachably
securable with the torso bag (1) for forming a sleeping bag to be
worn by the wearer for sleeping; and a built-in carrying bag (4)
formed in the leg bag (3), whereby upon inversion of the built-in
carrying bag (4) outwardly from the leg bag (3) and insertion of
the leg bag (3) into the carrying bag (4), the carrying bag (4) is
stored with the torso bag (1), the hood (2) and the leg bag (3)
into the carrying bag for carrying use.
2. A convertible article according to claim 1, wherein said torso
bag (1) is generally cylindrical shaped and includes: a
longitudinal zipper (11) formed in a front portion of the torso bag
(1) for opening or closing the torso bag (1), a collar (13) formed
on an upper portion of the torso bag (1) corresponding to a
wearer's neck portion, a row of collar-side zipper teeth (14) of a
hood zipper (Z1) partially disposed around the collar (13) and
engageable with a row of hood-side zipper teeth (21) of the hood
zipper (Z1) formed on the hood (2) for fastening the hood (2) on
the torso bag (1) adjacent to the collar (13), a pair of shoulder
openings (15) formed in opposite sides of a shoulder portion of the
torso bag (1) each said shoulder opening (15) having a row of
shoulder-side zipper teeth (151) of a sleeve zipper (Z2)
circumferentially formed on a rim of the shoulder opening (15) for
engaging a row of sleeve-side zipper teeth (161) circumferentially
formed on a rim of a sleeve (16) connectable to the shoulder
portion of the torso bag (1), and a torso bottom opening (18)
formed at a bottom of the torso bag (1) having a row of
torso-bottom zipper teeth (181) circumferentially formed on a rim
of the torso bottom opening (18) for engaging a row of leg-side
zipper teeth (32) of a lower zipper (Z3) circumferentially formed
on a rim of a top opening (31) of the leg bag (3).
3. A convertible article according to claim 2, wherein said
shoulder opening (15) is formed with a closable zipper (152)
circumferentially formed on an inner edge of the rim of the
shoulder opening (15) and is closed for forming a sleeping bag of
the torso bag (1).
4. A convertible article according to claim 2, wherein said hood
(2) includes: a row of hood-side zipper teeth (21) formed on a
bottom edge of the hood (2) to be engaged with the collar-side
zipper teeth (14) of the hood zipper (Z1) for fastening the hood
(2) to the torso bag (1), a hood portion (22) generally formed as
an open bag for shielding the wearer's head, and an inflatable
pillow portion (23) attached to the hood portion (22) and
operatively inflated for cushioning the wearer's head.
5. A convertible article according to claim 4, wherein said
inflatable pillow portion (23) includes two side cells (231)
disposed on opposite sides of the hood portion (22) and folded to
the hood portion (22), and an inflator (20) communicated with said
side cells (231) for inflating the side cells.
6. A convertible article according to claim 1, wherein the hood (2)
includes: two side cells (221) disposed on opposite sides of a base
cell (223) generally triangular shaped, with the two side cells
(221) operatively folded over the base cell (223) along two folding
lines (222) aligned with two triangular sides of the base cell
(223) to form a tetrahydron-shaped hood by a top zipper (24)
consisting of two rows of top zipper teeth (241) linearly formed on
a top edge of the two side cells (221) and operatively fastened by
pulling a sliding tab (242) of the top zipper (24) by engaging the
two rows of top zipper teeth (241), and an inflater (20)
communicated with the side cells (221) and the base cell (223) and
operatively inflated for cushioning the wearer's head.
7. A convertible article according to claim 1, wherein said
built-in carrying bag (4) includes: a bag cover (41) attached to a
layer of the leg bag (3), at least a back strap (42) and a pair of
hand straps (43) respectively secured to the carrying bag (4), and
a double-side zipper (5) having two rows of zipper teeth (51)
circumferentially formed on a rim of a bag opening (40) formed on a
top of the built-in carrying bag (4) and having a first and a
second pull handle (53,54) pivotally connected to an inner side and
an outer side of a sliding tab (52) operatively engaging the two
rows of zipper teeth (51), whereby upon inversion of the built-in
carrying bag (4) from the leg bag (3) and inversion of the
double-side zipper (5) for alternating an inner pull handle
outwardly to be an outer pull handle of the double-side zipper (5),
a carrying bag is independently formed for carrying purpose.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,892 to Gonzales disclosed a sleeping bag
convertible into different garments, including front and rear
panels that can be zipped together in variable ways.
However, this prior art still has the following drawbacks:
1. After folding the sleeping bag, jacket or vest, it still
requires a carrying bag or hand bag for storing the folded articles
for handling or storage.
2. The hood (20) is provided just for shielding the wearer's head
without additional use. So, when the jacket is served as a sleeping
bag, a pillow shall be further provided for cushioning the wearer's
head.
The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the conventional
convertible sleeping bag and invented the present convertible
article for multiple uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a convertible
article including: a torso bag having a hood detachably securable
with the torso bag, with an inflatable pillow attached to the hood
and inflated for cushioning a wearer's head; a leg bag detachably
securable with the torso bag for forming a sleeping bag to be worn
by the wearer for sleeping purpose; and a built-in carrying bag
inherently formed in the leg bag, whereby upon inversion of the
built-in carrying bag outwardly from the leg bag and foldably
inserting the remaining portion of the leg bag into the carrying
bag, the carrying bag can be conveniently carried for storing the
torso bag, the hood and other items into the carrying bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the elements in construction of
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention when served
as a sleeping bag.
FIG. 3 shows a folded pillow portion secured to the hood of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view illustration of the hood and pillow portion
of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a jacket and a leg bag separated
each other.
FIG. 6 shows the leg bag and the built-in carrying bag of the
present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a first step for forming and inverting the built-in
carrying bag outwardly for storing the folded leg bag into the
carrying bag in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a second step for forming the carrying bag of the
present invention following FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 shows a third step for forming the carrying bag.
FIG. 9A shows a double-side zipper of the carrying bag of the
present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a fourth step for forming the carrying bag.
FIG. 11 shows the carrying bag as inverted from the leg bag which
is now stored within the carrying bag.
FIG. 12 is an illustration showing that the torso bag and the hood
may be stored into the carrying bag.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another preferred hood of the
present invention.
FIG. 14 shows an inflated pillow as derived from the unfolded hood
as shown in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention comprises: a torso bag
1, a hood 2 detachably securable to the torso bag 2, and a built-in
carrying bag 4 inherently formed in the leg bag 3.
The torso bag 1 generally cylindrical shaped includes: a
longitudinal zipper 11 formed in a front portion of the torso bag 1
for opening or closing the torso bag 1, a plurality of buttons 12
equally spaced and formed in the front portion of the bag 1 for
opening or closing the torso bag 1, a collar 13 formed on an upper
portion of the torso bag 1 corresponding to a wearer's neck
portion, a row of collar-side zipper teeth 14 of a hood zipper Z1
partially disposed around the collar 13 and engageable with a row
of hood-side zipper teeth 21 of the hood zipper Z1 formed on the
hood 2 for fastening the hood 2 on the torso bag 1 adjacent to the
collar 13, a pair of shoulder openings 15 formed on opposite sides
of a shoulder portion of the torso bag 1 each shoulder opening 15
having a row of shoulder-side zipper teeth 151 of a sleeve zipper
Z2 circumferentially formed on a circulaar edge (or rim) of the
shoulder opening 15 for engaging a row of sleeve-side zipper teeth
161 circumferentially formed on a circular edge (rim) of a sleeve
16 connected to the shoulder portion of the torso bag 1, and a
torso bottom opening 18 formed at a bottom of the torso bag 1
having a row of torso-bottom zipper teeth 181 circumferentially
formed on a circular or oval edge (rim) of the torso bottom opening
18 for engaging a row of leg-side zipper teeth 32 of a lower zipper
Z3 circumferentially formed on an oval edge (rim) of a top opening
31 of the leg bag 3.
Each sleeve 16 has its lower cuff 162 connectable with a glove 17
for warming the wearer's hand.
A closable zipper 152 is circumferentially formed on an inner edge
of the shoulder opening 15 and is closed for forming a sleeping bag
as shown in FIG. 2 when not connected with the sleeve 16.
The materials for making the convertible article of the present
invention can be selected from soft, flexible, warm and preferable
water resistant materials. A lining may be lined inside the torso
bag 1 or the leg bag 3.
The hood 2 includes: a row of hood-side zipper teeth 21 formed on a
bottom edge of the hood 2 to be engaged with the collar-side zipper
teeth 14 of the hood zipper Z1 formed on the torso bag for
fastening the hood 2 to the torso bag 1, a hood portion 22
generally formed as an open bag for shielding the wearer's head,
and an inflatable pillow portion 23 attached to the hood portion 22
and inflated for cushioning the wearer's head (FIG. 4).
As shown in FIG. 3, the inflatable pillow portion 23 includes two
side cells 231 disposed on opposite sides of the hood portion 22
and folded to the hood portion 22 by fasteners 232 which are fixed
on the side cells 231 and fastened to the fastener base 220 formed
on the hood portion 22, and an inflator 20 for inflating the side
cells. The fastener 232 may be selected from a Velcro tape or other
fasteners.
As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, the hood 2 may be modified to include:
two side cells 221 disposed on opposite sides of a base cell 223
generally triangular shaped, with the two side cells 221
operatively folded over the base cell 223 along two folding lines
222 aligned with two triangular sides of the base cell 223 to form
a tetrahydron-shaped hood by a top zipper 24 consisting of two rows
of top zipper teeth 241 linearly formed on a top edge of the two
side cells 221 and fastened by pulling a sliding tab 242 of the top
zipper 24 (FIG. 13) for engaging the two rows of top zipper teeth
241, and an inflater 20 communicated with the side cells and the
base cell and inflated for cushioning the wearer's head.
The leg bag 3 has a bottom closed end 33 opposite to its top
opening 31, and a hip (or rear) layer 34 secured with the carrying
bag 4 on the hip layer 34.
The built-in carrying bag 4 as inherently formed in the leg bag 3,
after being separated from the torso bag 1 by unzipping the lower
zipper Z3, can be inverted and formed as an "independent" carrying
bag for carrying purpose as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 by the unfolding
steps as shown in FIGS. 6-11 as hereinafter described.
The built-in carrying bag 4 includes: a bag cover 41 attached to a
hip (or rear) layer 34 of the leg bag 3, at least a back strap or
shoulder strap 42 and a pair of hand straps 43 respectively secured
to the carrying bag 4, and a double-side zipper 5 having two rows
of zipper teeth 51 circumferentially formed on a rim of a bag
opening 40 formed on a top of the built-in carrying bag 4 and
having a first and a second pull handles 53, 54 pivotally connected
to an inner and an outer side of a sliding tab 52 operatively
engaging the two rows of zipper teeth 51, whereby upon inversion of
the built-in carrying bag 4 from the leg bag 3 and also inversion
of the double-side zipper 5, an independent carrying bag is formed
for carrying purpose.
An shown in FIGS. 6-11, the back strap or shoulder strap 42 of the
carrying bag 4 is pulled outwardly and the double-side zipper 5 is
inverted outwardly; the remaining portion of the leg bag 3 being
folded and inserted in the carrying bag 4 after being inverted
(FIG. 10). The first pull handle 53 as originally held within the
bag cover 41 as shown in FIG. 9 is then inverted outwardly to be an
"outer" pull handle; while the second pull handle 54 as originally
exposed outwardly will then be alternatively inverted inwardly as
shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the built-in carrying bag 4 will be
inverted, unfolded and formed as an "independent" carrying (hand)
bag, travelling bag, or a satchel for storing the torso bag 1, the
hood 2, and other items into the bag 1 for convenient handling or
storage uses.
The present invention is superior to the prior art with the
following advantages:
1. A carrying bag 4 is inherently built in the leg bag 3 for
forming in situ a traveling bag (or hand bag or satchel) on the
article of the present invention for an instant and direct carrying
use.
2. The inflatable pillow portion or inflatable hood can be
conveniently served as a pillow for cushioning the wearer's head
when the article is converted to be a sleeping bag.
3. The article can be converted to be a sleeping bag, a jacket, a
vest and a carrying bag for multiple uses.
The present invention may be modified without departing from the
spirit and scope as claimed in this invention.
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